Spaceborne Earth Observation
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course unit aims to introduce the students to the principles, techniques and applications of Earth Observation (EO) from space from the standpoint of a potential future skilled user of EO data as well as that of a possible contributor to the development of an EO mission and of its research or service-oriented applications. EO provides the main observational means for extending the understanding of planet Earth as an integrated system and of continuously and accurately monitoring all its constituents (atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, land surfaces, Earth interior, biosphere) for applications of scientific, societal and commercial value, which leads it to be the fastest expanding field in the space disciplines. The course unit aims to familiarize the student in detail with the EO concepts, such as the foundations of sensing techniques and models (in terms of systems and signals), the space environment and the different types of satellites and their orbits, with the physical fundamentals of remote and in-situ sensing for EO, with the main sensing techniques (with reference to actual systems) using both electromagnetic and gravitational sensors, providing solid bases for the correct and effective exploitation of the data from EO missions, with a focus on both missions currently in operation as well on some under development.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course unit the student shall have an understanding of the capabilities - current and in the near future - of EO to provide actionable information on the state of, and processes in/among, the different constituents of the Earth system. The student shall be conversant with the main available approaches to observe (from space): the atmosphere (neutral, ionized); the oceans; seas and in-land waters; the cryosphere; the land surfaces and the biosphere; the interior of the (solid) Earth. This will be achieved with a clear understanding of the most suited EO techniques, their advantages and limitations, in relation to the different geophysical parameters. The student shall be able to relate, in mathematical form, the errors in the data acquired by EO space missions to the sensors employed and the observation targets. The student shall also achieve familiarity with the current families of EO missions, principally those originating from Europe and the USA, as well also with several other missions that will be available in a few years, developing an understanding of the complementarities between data streams from different families. The student shall acquire the basis to explore autonomously the applications of various computer (software) tools for the processing of EO data from a multiplicity of missions. The student shall have developed an autonomous capability for critically understanding scientific papers, books and web-based material that expand and further detail the topics addressed in the course unit.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Module 1 - Gravimetric/geodetic sensing (prof. Roberto Sabadini; 24 hours)
1 - Spaceborne gravimetry disclosing the physics of Solid and Fluid Earth's compartments: from LAGEOS, to GRACE, GOCE and the upcoming MAGIC space missions.
2 - Derivation of the equations for the conservation of linear momentum and Poisson equation for a spherical and self-gravitating Earth for quasi-static deformation in the solid part of our planet: external forces, surface and internal loads, dislocations.
3 - Rheology of the mantle and lithosphere: the Maxwell viscoelastic solid.
4 - Correspondence Principle: transformation of the fields in the Laplace domain.
5 - Spherical harmonics:
Legendre Functions and Equation;
Surface Spherical harmonics and orthogonality relation.
6 - Expansion of the Poisson equation for a spherical, self-gravitating Earth in spherical harmonics.
7 - Expansion of the equation of conservation of linear momentum for a spherical, self-gravitating Earth into spheroidal and toroidal components.
8 - Implementation of the analytical Green functions for the radial and tangential components of the displacement field within the Sold Earth and of the gravitational potential due to internal and external forcing.
9 - Derivation of the loading Love number for a spherical, self-gravitating incompressible Earth.
10 - From the analytical Green function for surface loads and LAGEOS derived long wavelength components of the gravitational potential changes due to the ancient Pleistocene deglaciation, inference of the rheological properties of the mantle (viscosity).
11 - Derivation of the boundary conditions for the Earth gravitational potential at the altitude of low orbit satellites for downward continuation of the gravitational potential.
12 - Present-day ice mass instabilities in Greenland and Western Antarctica within the implemented spherical, self-gravitating Earth models and ongoing eustatic sea level rise.
Module 2 - Electromagnetic sensing (prof. Mauro Giudici; 24 hours)
Physical bases (10 hours). The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. Principles of radiometry. Blackbody radiation: Plank's law; Stefan-Boltzmann's law; Wien's law. Emissivity and equivalent blackbody radiation. Shortwave (SW) solar radiation and longwave (LW) radiation. Atmospheric effects on the propagation of EM waves. Reflection, absorption and transmission of EM radiation for water, soils, and vegetation. Satellite orbits.
EO programs (8 hours). An overview of satellite missions and programs: Landsat (NASA); Sentinel (ESA).
Applied aspects (6 hours). Basic algorithms for satellite data management and processing and their implementation with Python-based tools.
1 - Spaceborne gravimetry disclosing the physics of Solid and Fluid Earth's compartments: from LAGEOS, to GRACE, GOCE and the upcoming MAGIC space missions.
2 - Derivation of the equations for the conservation of linear momentum and Poisson equation for a spherical and self-gravitating Earth for quasi-static deformation in the solid part of our planet: external forces, surface and internal loads, dislocations.
3 - Rheology of the mantle and lithosphere: the Maxwell viscoelastic solid.
4 - Correspondence Principle: transformation of the fields in the Laplace domain.
5 - Spherical harmonics:
Legendre Functions and Equation;
Surface Spherical harmonics and orthogonality relation.
6 - Expansion of the Poisson equation for a spherical, self-gravitating Earth in spherical harmonics.
7 - Expansion of the equation of conservation of linear momentum for a spherical, self-gravitating Earth into spheroidal and toroidal components.
8 - Implementation of the analytical Green functions for the radial and tangential components of the displacement field within the Sold Earth and of the gravitational potential due to internal and external forcing.
9 - Derivation of the loading Love number for a spherical, self-gravitating incompressible Earth.
10 - From the analytical Green function for surface loads and LAGEOS derived long wavelength components of the gravitational potential changes due to the ancient Pleistocene deglaciation, inference of the rheological properties of the mantle (viscosity).
11 - Derivation of the boundary conditions for the Earth gravitational potential at the altitude of low orbit satellites for downward continuation of the gravitational potential.
12 - Present-day ice mass instabilities in Greenland and Western Antarctica within the implemented spherical, self-gravitating Earth models and ongoing eustatic sea level rise.
Module 2 - Electromagnetic sensing (prof. Mauro Giudici; 24 hours)
Physical bases (10 hours). The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. Principles of radiometry. Blackbody radiation: Plank's law; Stefan-Boltzmann's law; Wien's law. Emissivity and equivalent blackbody radiation. Shortwave (SW) solar radiation and longwave (LW) radiation. Atmospheric effects on the propagation of EM waves. Reflection, absorption and transmission of EM radiation for water, soils, and vegetation. Satellite orbits.
EO programs (8 hours). An overview of satellite missions and programs: Landsat (NASA); Sentinel (ESA).
Applied aspects (6 hours). Basic algorithms for satellite data management and processing and their implementation with Python-based tools.
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of mechanics and of electromagnetism. Good knowledge of calculus.
Teaching methods
Lectures, integrated with seminars given by external experts and practical exercises.
Teaching Resources
Module 1
Roberto Sabadini, Bert Vermeersen and Gabriele Cambiotti (2016). Global Dynamics of the Earth - Applications of Viscoelastic Relaxation Theory to Solid-Earth and Planetary Geophysics, Springer, ISBN: 978-94-017-7552-6 (second Edition) (available to the students in pdf format).
Steven R. Dickman (2025). Earth System Geophysics, American Geophysical Union- ADVANCING EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES, Wiley (available to the students at the library of the Department of Earth Sciences "A. Desio", Università degli Studi di Milano).
Ari Ben-Menahem and Sarva Jit Singh (1981). Seismic Waves and Sources, second edition, Dover Publications, Inc., Mineola, New York.
Module 2
Charles Elachi & Jakob J. van Zyl (2021). Introduction to the Physics and Techniques of Remote Sensing, 3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Rick Chapman & Richard Gasparovic (2022). Remote Sensing Physics: An Introduction to Observing Earth from Space. AGU and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Rebekah B. Esmaili (2021). Earth Observation Using Python: A Practical Programming Guide. AGU and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Roberto Sabadini, Bert Vermeersen and Gabriele Cambiotti (2016). Global Dynamics of the Earth - Applications of Viscoelastic Relaxation Theory to Solid-Earth and Planetary Geophysics, Springer, ISBN: 978-94-017-7552-6 (second Edition) (available to the students in pdf format).
Steven R. Dickman (2025). Earth System Geophysics, American Geophysical Union- ADVANCING EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES, Wiley (available to the students at the library of the Department of Earth Sciences "A. Desio", Università degli Studi di Milano).
Ari Ben-Menahem and Sarva Jit Singh (1981). Seismic Waves and Sources, second edition, Dover Publications, Inc., Mineola, New York.
Module 2
Charles Elachi & Jakob J. van Zyl (2021). Introduction to the Physics and Techniques of Remote Sensing, 3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Rick Chapman & Richard Gasparovic (2022). Remote Sensing Physics: An Introduction to Observing Earth from Space. AGU and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Rebekah B. Esmaili (2021). Earth Observation Using Python: A Practical Programming Guide. AGU and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Module 1
Students will sit for an oral examination, during which they will answer questions about the topics presented during the lectures. Students can get a maximum grade of 15 points, based on the following assessment criteria: the level of knowledge of the topics of the module; the ability to present clearly and accurately the physical concepts; the use of appropriate scientific language.
Module 2
Students who attend more than 50% of the lectures will be asked to prepare a written technical report describing the download and processing of satellite data; the report will be discussed during an oral examination.
Up to 5 points will be assigned to the technical report, according to the following criteria: completeness, clarity and rigor of the description of objectives, methods and procedures; quality of the presentation of data and processing results.
Up to 10 points will be assigned to the oral examination, according to the following criteria: up to 5 points for the description and discussion of the technical report, taking into account the clarity and the rigor of the presentation, and the degree of knowledge of the applied methods; up to 5 points for the level of knowledge of the physical bases introduced during the lectures.
Non-attending students (i.e., students who attended less than 50% of the lectures) will sit for an oral examination, during which they will answer two questions about the physical principles and one question about EO programs. Students can get a maximum grade of 15 points, based on the following assessment criteria: the level of knowledge of the topics of the module; the ability to present clearly and accurately the physical concepts; the use of appropriate scientific language.
Final grade
The final grade will be in thirtieth and will be the sum of the grades obtained for the two modules. In order to overcome the exam, students must get more than 9 points in each of the two modules.
Students will sit for an oral examination, during which they will answer questions about the topics presented during the lectures. Students can get a maximum grade of 15 points, based on the following assessment criteria: the level of knowledge of the topics of the module; the ability to present clearly and accurately the physical concepts; the use of appropriate scientific language.
Module 2
Students who attend more than 50% of the lectures will be asked to prepare a written technical report describing the download and processing of satellite data; the report will be discussed during an oral examination.
Up to 5 points will be assigned to the technical report, according to the following criteria: completeness, clarity and rigor of the description of objectives, methods and procedures; quality of the presentation of data and processing results.
Up to 10 points will be assigned to the oral examination, according to the following criteria: up to 5 points for the description and discussion of the technical report, taking into account the clarity and the rigor of the presentation, and the degree of knowledge of the applied methods; up to 5 points for the level of knowledge of the physical bases introduced during the lectures.
Non-attending students (i.e., students who attended less than 50% of the lectures) will sit for an oral examination, during which they will answer two questions about the physical principles and one question about EO programs. Students can get a maximum grade of 15 points, based on the following assessment criteria: the level of knowledge of the topics of the module; the ability to present clearly and accurately the physical concepts; the use of appropriate scientific language.
Final grade
The final grade will be in thirtieth and will be the sum of the grades obtained for the two modules. In order to overcome the exam, students must get more than 9 points in each of the two modules.
GEO/10 - SOLID EARTH GEOPHYSICS - University credits: 3
ICAR/06 - SURVEYING AND MAPPING - University credits: 3
ICAR/06 - SURVEYING AND MAPPING - University credits: 3
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Giudici Mauro, Sabadini Roberto
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
By phone or mail appointment
via Botticelli 23